Cats scrap past dogged Bombers in AFL

Essendon

6.6.42

vs

Geelong Cats

9.18.72

AFL

AFL Home and Away

Match Completed

MCG - Saturday April 16th, 3:45 am

Geelong survived a scare from Essendon before scrapping to a 30-point win at the MCG on Saturday.

The inaugural `country game' pitted the depleted Bombers against a Cats side widely tipped to challenge for a top-four berth but it took Chris Scott's team until well into the final term to put the 9.18 (72) to 6.6. (42) win beyond doubt.

It was a scrappy contest with few highlights to speak of but Dons fans would've much preferred that to the Patrick Dangerfield-inspired champagne football Geelong supporters would have been expecting to see.

Former Cat Mathew Stokes gave the Bombers a one-point lead with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter but the Cats finally broke the shackles, kicking 3.5 to one behind in the final term to seal the premiership points.

Dangerfield wasn't at his explosive best but he still led the way with 27 possessions, with Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan and Josh Caddy also prominent.

Tom Lonergan frustrated young Essendon spearhead Joe Daniher, who finished without a goal, but he had plenty of help from his teammates in a solid display by the Cats' back six.